Councillor Michael Thompson is going “all-in,” pushing for a mid-term public vote on whether the city should pursue the casino based on the recommendation from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. Though Mayor Rob Ford and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford have supported other motions for referenda before, it seems they may do so again in this case.

But, other councillors are not betting on it. With estimates that a referendum might cost the city up to $7-million, the councillors may just split their hands, and vote on it themselves instead.

City Hall goes Tokyo… For a Movie with Stringer Bell

Oh, just some casual Japanese doomsday signage behind City Hall. Image: @ChrisBoutet

Yup, Elizabeth Street is plastered with Tokyo-related signage, Japanese characters and cars – far different from the typical Toronto signage for the NYPD, Total Recall hovercars on Lakeshore, or, you know, Covert Affairs, which seems to never stop shooting in the city.

The film is directed by Pan’s Labyrinth helmer Guillermo Del Toro, and stars the Golden Globe-winning Idris Elba, best known as Stringer Bell from The Wire.

But seriously, check it out. The movie is scheduled to finish filming in April, so get your mini-tours in now. Well, I know how I’m spending my lunch breaks, anyway. After all, who wouldn’t love to track down Elba and tell him how much they loved his work in 2009’s Obsessed? DEREK!